Chanukah Torch Kindled in Israel, Flown to New York, Carried to Officials

December 19, 1968

NEW YORK (Dec. 18)

A Chanukah torch kindled in Israel was presented to Mayor John V. Lindsay and Sen. Jacob K. Javits today at the Garment Center Congregation Synagogue in Manhattan. The torch, flown here from Israel, was carried in relays from John F. Kennedy Airport to the synagogue, 18 miles distance, by 100 boys and girls who are members of the Massada Zionist youth organization, an affiliate of the Zionist Organization of America.

The torch was handed to Mayor Lindsay by 19-year-old Cindy Wershals, of Rockville Center, Long Island. He passed it to Jacques Torczyner, president of the ZOA, who passed in turn to Sen. Javits; Israel Consul General Rehaveam Amir; Murray Putterman, president of the congregation; and Rabbi Aaron Decter, its rabbi. Mr. Torczyner said the relay was held to symbolize Chanukah’s message of freedom and to show Americans “a sign of Israel’s desire to live in peace and security.”